Kerala Floods: Situation Remains Grim, Bad Communication Networks Makes Rescue Operations Difficult
Food and dry ration have been distributed among them. According to the latest update, five units of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) have reached Thiruvananthapuram on Friday for rescue operations while 35 teams are expected to reach there later in the day.
Kochi, August 17: In the wake of grave flood situations in several parts of Kerala, the Indian Coast Guard's rescue and the relief team from Vandiperiyar has been shifted to the flood-affected Manjumala village on Friday. The situation remains grim in Kerala after a complete breakdown of communication networks made rescue relief coordination difficult in several parts. According to a tweet by ANI, the team has rescued 16 stranded people from the village and food and dry ration have been distributed among them. A red alert has been issued in all 13 districts except Kasaragod.
A red alert has also been issued for Saturday in Ernakulam and Idukki districts. According to the latest update, five units of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) have reached Thiruvananthapuram on Friday for rescue operations while 35 teams are expected to reach there later in the day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reach Kerala on Saturday and undertake an aerial survey of the flood-ravaged areas. Kerala has been witnessing torrential rains since August 8 and has claimed 97 lives so far.
The rise in flood waters in Periyar River due to the rains and opening of all shutters of all major dams including Mullaperiyar, Cheruthoni, part of Idukki reservoir and Idamalayar, have severely affected lives of people in downstream areas. The floods have caused extensive damage with houses swamping, roads have been destroyed and air and rail traffic have been affected drastically, bringing normal life to a halt.
On Thursday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated a slight reduction in rain intensity over Kerala in the next 48 hours. Reports inform that in districts like Kozhikode, the situation is improving, however, central Kerala is witnessing a heavy downpour.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has donated Rs 30 lakh to the relief fund for Kerala flood victims. In a circular issued by the SCBA, it also called up on its members to contribute "generously" towards 'SCBA Calamity Relief Fund' that has been set up for this purpose. It said a corpus of about Rs 30 lakh lying in the account shall be transferred for Kerala flood relief operations.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 17, 2018 09:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).